Goddammit! Why did he feel the need to remind me of that every time we spoke? How many deals did I have to successfully broker to prove myself CEO material? Shane had reassured his father, repeatedly and unequivocally, that he would do whatever was required for the success of the inter-island development project. What more did he want for Christ’s sake? He wondered what it would ultimately take to earn his respect. Hardcore ambition, tenacity and drive were equally inherent in both father and son, yet they were worlds apart.
Shane hated that the old man called all the shots, but his father, Grant Tanner, was a control freak of epic proportions who loved manipulating people and pulling their strings, including his own son’s. Every chance he got he hounded and criticized Shane about his free-wheeling playboy lifestyle, claiming his reputation was holding him back. He steadfastly contended that married family men portrayed a more credible and trustworthy business image.
Shane poured himself a large glass of Scotch from the crystal decanter on the bar and loosened his necktie. He mentally reminded himself again that he was a rich and powerful, dynamic thirty-three year old man who didn’t need anybody’s validation or approval. He was a captain of industry in his own right with an impressive list of interests and accomplishments: He was a world class skier, scuba diver, yachtsman, jazz pianist, gourmet cook, and helicopter pilot. He loved extreme sports of every kind and excelled at all of them. He wondered exactly how his father perceived any of that as being “held back”.
His wealth, charisma, and movie star good looks made him one of the hottest most sought-after playboys in his social circle. In fact, he couldn’t recall any woman ever saying, “No” to him except his own mother, God rest her soul. The thought of having any woman he wanted hardened his cock and brought a self-satisfied smile to his face. Equally arousing was the thought of having complete control of Tanner International and he was determined to do anything to get it; including brown-nosing and kissing his father’s ass from here till next Tuesday if that’s what was required.
As the whiskey’s warmth started to settle into his muscles he could feel some of the tension melt away from his stiff neck and shoulders. Returning to the window, he sighed heavily and released himself from the jacket of his handmade Italian suit. Draping it over the back of his chair, he began to feel psyched about his Maui trip. The Hawaiian Islands were as beautiful as the women who imhabited them. Perhaps a tropical vacation, albeit a working one, was exactly what he needed.
Three
After the corporate meeting, Danielle waited in Paolo’s Santiago’s office as per his request. She scanned the fine details around the room wishing she had his decorator know-how; It looked like something straight off the cover of Elle Décor magazine. The view was also nothing to sneeze at, stretching out past the pool area to the sparkling Pacific.
As the hotel manager, Paolo was her immediate supervisor but was far too humble to treat her as a subordinate. Dani considered him her most loyal friend and confidant and had the utmost respect for his work ethic and expertise. Professionally he was her wise mentor while socially he filled the role of sympathetic “girlfriend”.
Dani had not been the least bit surprised when he had politely asked her to join him for an informal meeting in his office, after the corporate webinar. She presumed her overt reaction to Shane Tanner’s photo had not escaped his notice. Despite her extreme case of anxiety, she tried to relax in the wicker chair as she stared down from the window at a beach volleyball game in progress .
After about ten minutes Paolo came in carrying a giant vase full of red hibiscus flowers that almost completely hid the upper half of his slight five-foot, five-inch frame.
“I’m so sorry to keep you waiting Dani,” he said in his most sincere tone. “Can you believe one of our lovely guests just gave these to me? I’m so touched. They’ll look perfect over here next to the divan.”
“That’s okay Paolo. No need to apologize. I’m not in any real hurry.”
Paolo closed his office door and took a seat at his antique desk. He wasted no time with small talk and got straight to the point.
“Okay girlie, what was all that about down there? Why did you freak out when you saw Shane Tanner’s picture?”
“So you noticed that huh?” Dani said sheepishly.
Paolo burst out laughing as he launched into his sarcastic reply, “No…. I didn’t notice anything. Why on earth would I notice a woman turn white as a sheet, stiffen like a statue and almost topple face first out of her swivel chair? Nothing unusual about that. ”
Danielle sat silently for a few moments wondering how to answer him. She honestly didn’t know where to begin because part of her doubted not only what she’d just seen in the meeting but her own recollection of that distant summer as well. Slowly Dani began relaying her story.
“It was during summer break between my sophomore and junior year of college at the University of Hawaii. I was living in Honolulu and I met this guy named Scott Turner who was spending his summer break there. He was going to some east coast Ivey League school at the time, Harvard or Yale, I forget which. We had an amazing three-month whirlwind romance.”
“So? I don’t get it. What the hell does that have to do with Shane Tanner, Dani? Oh my god! Don’t tell me you had a threesome with him?”
Danielle balked at the suggestion. “Of course not. In fact that would be impossible. Paolo, you’re not going to believe this but as soon as I saw that picture of Shane Tanner in the meeting today, I recognized his face immediately….. That was Scott Turner.”
Paolo’s large brown eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Are you absolutely sure sweetie? But how could that be?” He was standing now and beginning to pace the length of his desk.
“I don’t know, but that was definitely Scott in the photo. My mind hasn’t come to grips with it yet. The same little scar by his eye is even there. And of course there’s no mistaking that adorable cleft chin and those piercing gray eyes. And that smile….. Oh my god that sweet smile.” Dani blushed when she suddenly became aware of her teenage schoolgirl demeanor. She forced herself to dismiss it. She was much more comfortable with her feelings of bitter resentment.
Paolo hopped up from his chair and took a seat on the front corner of his desk, in closer proximity to Danielle.
“Okay I have serious question to ask you. I know it sounds like I’m prying because I am, but I have to ask. Was it mostly just a summer sex romp or were you in love with him?”
“It was both. It started out as amazing primal sex like I’d never known but I ended up falling in love with him. What difference does it make?”
“Dani weren’t you listening to Angela at all during the meeting?” asked Paolo in an unusually somber tone.
“Not really. I’m sorry but I totally zoned out once I saw that photo. You saw me; I went into shock. What did Angela say?”
“Well first of all, our new name is going to be The Tanner Kaanapali Kai. More importantly, Shane Tanner will be arriving from California within the next couple of days. He’s going to be here with us to facilitate the transition of the resort from Artemis Hotels to Tanner International. Does any of this ring a bell? Didn’t you even hear Angela say her farewells to the staff? That was the best part actually. I always hated that smug bitch.”